Founded in 1649 and incorporated in 1651, Medfield is a town steeped in history. It survived the destruction of half its homes in the King Philip War, supported the anti-slavery movement through underground railroads, became home to the second largest straw and felt hat factory in the United States and several other small industries including the manufacture of cut nails, a fork factory, a company for the manufacture of boots, a wire factory, a box factory and a substantial company manufacturing horse-drawn carriages. Beginning in the mid-1800s and continuing well into the 1900s, Medfield established itself as an appealing venue for celebrated artists and musicians and in 1896 it became home to the Medfield State Hospital. The 20th century brought both growth and conservation and preservation movements. Today Medfield is a 21st Century Boston suburb renowned for its school system and its still rural character.

The town is also home to a large collection of First Period American homes. At least three Medfield homes date, at least in part, to the middle to late 1600’s: the Peak House, the Dwight-Derby House, and Lowell Mason House.